Today in History: August 4, massive explosion rocks Beirut

On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion in Beirut, Lebanon, caused by improperly stored ammonium nitrate resulted in over 200 deaths, 7,000 injuries, and extensive damage, marking one of the largest non-nuclear explosions. Other historical events on this date include the founding of the U.S. Coast Guard and the purchase of the Danish Virgin Islands.